Papa John's has submitted an application to Maldon District Council (MDC) to open a new takeaway restaurant on Maldon High Street.

The pizza chain is hoping to open a new store on the ground floor area of 102D High Street, which is currently the convenience store Maldon Discount.

The application therefore involves a change of use of the site from its current commercial unit to a hot food takeaway.

The plans also include a new shopfront, comprising three full height glazed display windows and an entrance doorway, and wall-mounted ground floor extraction equipment.

The proposed hours of opening for the takeaway are 11am to 11pm seven days a week, including bank holidays.

The planning statement for the application says that the proposed use would ensure the "continued vitality and viability of the commercial centre".

It adds: "The introduction of Papa John's into the unit would ensure the unit remains occupied, reducing the risk of a further unit becoming vacant, provide local employment opportunities, meet a local need, and as such will increase pedestrian footfall within the locale."